Box-blank-conveyer mechanism.



H. A. INMAN.

BOX BLANK CONVEYER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1o, |914.

1,173,664. Patented Feb.29,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

THE com/Mum rumoaRAFli co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

H. A. INMAN.

BOX BLANK CONVEYER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l0, 1914.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Nw ewa..

., ...e M m nventor Attorneys mm Pumommprl co WA H. A. INMAN.

BOX BLANK CONV'EYER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION, FILED FEB. l0, |914.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Witnesses Attorneys HAR-RY A. INMAN, OF AMSTERDAM, NEW' YORK.

BOX-LANK-CONVEYER MEGHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed February 10, 1914. Serial No. 817,852.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY A. INMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amsterdam, in the county of Montgomery and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Box- Blank- Conveyer Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in box blank conveyer mechanisms,

the present mechanism being especially designed for receiving the gummed and taped blanks after passage through the machine shown in my application for U. S. Letters Patent for Improvements in machines for applying gum and tape to paper boxes, filed February 13, 1913, Serial No. 748,166, one object of the present invention being the provision of a conveyer mechanism, adapted to intermittently feed the blanks therealong and to a folding machine, the detail structure of which is set forth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 8i8,367, whereby when the blank is delivered to the folding 2.5 machine, the gum Which is applied by the iirst machine has been acted upon by the surrounding air to produce what is termed a tacky consistency in the adhesive, so that When the blank is properly folded, the gum 3o or adhesive will not run or be compressed to such an extent as to o-oze or project beyond the edges of the blank and therefore prevent the proper folding and forming of the box.

A still further object of the present inven- 85 tion is the provision of a. blank co-nveyer mechanism, by means of which an irregular shaped blank may be properly conveyed after the same has been gummed, such conveyer acting thereupon and being of a 4e proper length to permit of the proper evaporation of the moisture from the gum or adhesive so that When the same has reached the end of the conveyer, the gum is in a proper condition for properly securing the folds of the box in the desired folded position, the mechanism including reciprocating means operated by the gumming and taping ma- /chine so that the gummed and taped blanks after they are properly fed from such machine will, by a continuous opera-tion, be

properly fed or moved to be properly presented to the folding machine heretofore mentioned.

It has been demonstrated in practice, that Where blanks such as are folded or formed into oyster or ice cream boxes of the taped kind, are gummed and taped and then folded immediately thereafter, the adhesive is in such a state that the same will run or be forced from between and out of the folded portion of the box, so that if such boxes are nested at the same time that they are folded as in the machine heretofore mentioned, such boxes Will adhesively engage one another so that they cannot be separated Without injuring the boxes. It has therefore been intended in the present structure, that the blanks be carried a predetermined distance and intermittently moved along the conveyer so that by the time the same are delivered above the plunger and below the forming means of the folding machine, the gummed portion will be in the desired tacky state. In other Words, that the excess Water in the adhesive Will have been evaporated before the blank is in such position. It has also been found that When the blanks are being delivered from the gumming and taping machine to the folding machine, that the adhesive or gum thereupon should be exposed to the atmosphere for a predetermined period, and also that the blanks should be held in the desired flat position Without either side being abutted With a too great surface, and that therefore in order to maintain the blanks in such position, Weights have been found more desirable than other guides and that intermittent blank engaging means are better adapted as positive elements for moving the blank to the desired folding machine than endless chains or other like mechanisms. Therefore in the present instance, a reciprocating means carrying a plurality of blank engaging fingers is disposed below the blank guides so that such means are placed in engagement with the edge of the blank and has imparted thereto an intermittent action to properly move the blank from one end to the other of the conveyer and inally in the desired position above the plunger and beneath the folding mechanism of the folding machine.

'In order to provide a means for automatically actuating or causing the operation of the folding machine, the reciprocating member at the point adjacent to the folding machine and upon its return movement, operates to clutch the machine. By this arrangement the blank is placed and held in a ,v

stationary position above the plunger of the folding machine before such folding maview which will appear as the description proceeds, the inventicn resides in the combinatirn and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter descriled and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. ln the drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete conveyer mechanism, the same being broken away in the center. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism as sho-wn in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of the blank engaging means of a conveyer mechanism. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view 'showing a cross secticn of a modified conveying mechanism for larger and more irregular blanks.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the standardV which in this instance, supports the gumming and taping machine (not shown) but heretofore mentioned, the pests or plates 2 being carried and upstanding therefrom and supporting the forward end of the present conveying mechanism, the two pests 3 supporting the opposite end of the present conveying mechanism, there being attached to the upper ends of the respective posts 2 and 3, the two oppositely disposed castings or plates 4 and 5, particularly shown in Fig. 4. The inner ends of the castings 4 and 5 are in spaced relation to each other and carry the blank guiding strips vor members 6 and 7 which extend the full length of the present conveying mechanism. Connected to the inner faces of and supported by the posts 2 and 3 are two strips 8 and 9, the cross braces or bars 10 being connected thereto and thus composing with the posts 2 and 3, the strips 8 and 9 and the cross bars or braces 10, a proper supporting frame for the present mechanism. Mounted for sliding movement in the cross bars 10 is a cylindrical rod 11, while supported therein and in fixed relation thereto, is a cylindrical rod 12.

In order to provide a means for reciprocating the rod 11. the purpose of which will presently appear, a block 13 is connected to the rod intermediate of its ends and has connected to it for operating the rod through such bleek, a link 14. This link 14 is piv( ted to the upperfree end of the arm 15 which is carried upon the rock shaft 16, said rcck shaft 16 being provided with a further upstanding arm 17 to which is cony shaft of the taping and gumming mechanism heretofore described and constitutes the power means for operating the transmitting mechanism of the present device through the instrumentality of the rod 11. Keyed upon the shaft 20 is a sprocket 21, which is operated through the sprocket chain 22 from the sprocket 23 keyed upon the shaft 24 of the taping and gumming machine. Carried by the shaft 20, are the two lower blank directing and feeding rollers 25, while superposed thereabove and in coactive relation thereto, are the upper guiding rollers 26. Thus the blank after being gummed and taped is delivered between the rollers 25 and 26 and finally in a plane above the two tracks or blank guiding members 6 and 7 of the present mechanism.

In order to insure the proper delivery of the blanks above the members 6 and 7 from the inlet end to the outlet end of the present conveying mechanism, at the end of the rod 11 adjacent the gumming and taping mechanism, is connected a block or sleeve 26', whose pin 28 is slidably mounted in the groove 29 of the strip 3 and thus the block 26', should the set screw s become loosened, will be held against circumferential movement by the pin 28 and slot 29. Slida-bly mounted upon the rod 12 adjacent the sleeve 26', is a block or sleeve 27 whose rib 30 is mounted for sliding movement in the groove 31 of the plate or strip 9. Connected to and carried by each of the respective sleeves 26 and 27 are the respective plates 32 and 33, the detailed operation and mechanism carried thereby being set forth later on.

A plurality of blocks 34 which are similar to the block 26, are mounted in a similar manner by means of the pin 36 and set screws s to the rod 11, while connected to the red 12 is a block or sleeve 35, said block being disposed to normally aline with its mating block 34 and having its guiding rib 37 disposed for sliding movement within the slet or groove 29 of the plate or strip Thus the block 35 is held against independent oscillation but is permitted the desired sliding movement, the purposeof which will presently appear. Mounted by means of the pin 38 to the block or sleeve 34, is the sleeve 39 which carries the blade or vane 40, which normally upstands, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 7 so as to engage the edge of the blank B when the red 11 is moved to the right as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and thus propel the blank upon the guiding members 6 and 7 of the machine.

A plate 42 is carried by the block or sleeve 34 upon the upper face thereof and is slotted as at 41 for the reception of the vane 40, to

permit the movement of the vane to the full and dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 7. When the rod 1l is being moved to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the blade assumes the dotted lineposition as shown in Fig. 7, while when moved to the right and engaging to propel a blank, the same assumes the full upright position in Fig. 7, the recessed block 4l limiting such movement. The pin 43 which is connected to the vane 40, acts with the plate connected to the slidable sleeve 35 and the slot 44 to slightly retard said vane 40, so that the same before imparting movement to the sleeve 35 will be tilted to either extreme position, as shown in Fig. 7, thus insuring the proper engagement with the blank and release therefrom so that in its return movement from right to left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper end of the Vane will be below and out of engagement with any blank B thereabove. These vanes 40 are so disposed relatively to each other, that when initially moved in full line position as shown in Fig. 7, each one will be slightly at the rear edge of the blank B. Thus when the blank is moved a predetermined distance 1t will be engaged by the next succeeding vane 40 at the next succeeding forward action of the shaft 0r rod 11.

In order to provide a means whereby the blank as it initially enters the present conveying mechanism, may be engaged just at its point 0f leaving the rollers 19, 25 and 26, the mechanism being shown in Fig. 6, a pin 38 is carried by the plate 32 and has mounted thereon for oscillation, a sleeve 39 which carries the vane 40, the same being constructed similarly to the vane 40 and eX- tending upwardly and having the same movements imparted thereto during its reciprocation by reason of the pin 43', the recess 44 and the plate 45 which is carried by the arm 33.

In order to insure the proper delivery of the blank, after finally being1 pushed along the guiding members 6 and 7 and toward the outlet end t0 the blank folding machine F, the vane 40 is carried by the block 34 at the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and has the upstanding lip 46, which is adapted to engage the rear edge of the last blank and move the same forward the desired distance to place it above the plunger B of the blank folding machine F.

It will thus be seen that the vane 40a receives the gummed and taped blank as 1t leaves the rollers 25 and 26, due to the fact that the arms 32 and 33 hold the vane 40ix in the position to be slightly beyond the vertical center lines of the rollers 9.5 4and 26, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, so that when the rod 1l is moved to the right, such blank will be properly moved and fed upon the upper surface of the guiding members 6 and 7 to be engaged by the next succeeding vane 40 after the shaft or rod 11 has been retracted and all of the vanes 40, 40a and 40 have been moved to position below the blank or the upper surface of the guiding members 6 and 7 to the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 7. The next succeeding vane 40 will therefore engage the blank and the intermittent reciprocating movement imparted thereto will impart a similar stepby-step movement to the respective blanks until the vane 40 will engage the last blank and place it upon and above the plunger B of the folding machine F.

In a machine of this character, it is essential that the control or operation of the plunger B and the folding mechanism thereof be timed and controlled by the conveying mechanism, in order that the blank may be placed above and be in a stationary position before the plunger operates thereupon. In order to accomplish this, a lug 47 is carried by the rod 11, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and is so disposed that when moved to the right it engages the pivoted end 48 of the bell crank lever 50. This end 48 is pivoted at 49 to the bell crank lever and is in the path to be iexed by the lug 47 as engaged thereby, when the lug 47 is moved to the right, a spring 51 returning it to the upright position. By this construction the end 48 lexes in one direction only, the rod 52 not being operated when the lug 47 moves to the right, but being operated when the lug 47 moves to the left. Thus, when moved in this direction, the bell crank lever will be operated to pull upon the rod 52 and through the mechanism 53 operates the clutch mechanism 54 and consequently as such clutch mechanism controls the propelling and operating shaft of the folding machine F, to set in motion the folding machine, above the plunger B of which is the stationary blank just delivered by the previous movement to the right of the rod l1.

A. rock shaft 57 is disposed at the extreme outlet end of the conveying mechanism and carries the blank receiving arms 59 which must be placed out of interfering position when the plunger B is operated, this being accomplished through the instrumentality of the short lever 55 and the link 56 controlled by the clutch 54, which when properly rotating due. to the operation started by the lug 47, will elevate the rod 56 and depress the members 59 against the action of the spring 58, which returns the members 59 to the horizontal position, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In order to provide a means for holding the blanks down upon the guiding members or tracks 6 and 7, during the propulsion thereof through the present conveying mechanism, two parallel angle strips 60 are carried by the supporting members 61 which are bridged from the upper ends of the respective posts 2 and 3 of the present mechanism, a hinge 62 being provided so that the parts may be moved to assume the dotted line position, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Connected to the strips 60 by means of the pins G3 and the slots 64 are the weights 65, said weights being constructed in sections apprommately slightly less than the length of each blank and thereby resting lightly upon the upper surface of the blank so as to retain them upon the upper surface of the track members 6 and 7 and merely to prevent any gust of air or wind from blowing the saine from the tracks. The weights 65, however, rest upon the blanks in such a manner as to necessitate the movement of the blank by the mechanical devices heretofore described.

The mechanism herein set forth is particularly designed for feeding the gumined and taped blanks for forming boxes known as the ice cream or oyster types having the fold in ends and the supporting tape handles, but where the present conveying mechanism is used in connection with larger blanks as egg packages and the like, the structure as shown in' Fig. 8 is preferred wherein that to the right is identical with the conveying construction heretofore set forth, the structure at the leftconstituting a single guide track 6 so that the blank B will assume the position as shown in Fig. 8 and will thus be operated up'on by the respective vanes 40 and 40b and thus be properly propelled through the machine, the respective blocks 34 and 34 being operated similarly upon the respective rods ll and llil and bv a single operating mechanism as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

What is claimed is:

1. In a blank conveyer, a blank guide, a movably mounted blank support at the delivery end thereof to receive the blanks thereon, a reciprocatory device having means operable to engage and release the blanks when said device approaches and Vleaves said support, respectively, and means for automatically moving said support out of the way when said device leaves said support.

2. In a blank conveyer, a blank guide, a blank support swingably mounted atthe delivery end thereof to receive the blanks thereon, a means operable to engage and release the blanks when the device approaches and leaves the support, respectively, and means for automatically swinging said support downwardly out of the way when said device leaves said support.

3. In a blank conveyer, a blank guide, a reciprocatory member, blank engaging elements pivoted to said member to Yswing reciprocatory device having.

into and out of blank engaging position, Y

and movable retarding means associated with said member, said elements being pivotally engaged to said means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HAR-RY A. INMAN. itnesses CHAs. E. I-IAnDiEs, MARIE B. SNYDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

